It’s going to take me a minute to write this post. I can’t see the keyboard through all the tears. I just read this and it’s a kick in the gut. I am so tired of reporting sad news. I am so sick of people getting fucking cancer. This one just crushes me.
If you are not a fan of Top Chef, you really missed out. Fatima was a lovely presence who was eliminated in the ninth episode on a football cookout challenge. Shortly after the season started airing, she announced that she had cancer. We all watched and began to notice she was a bit tired at times and seemed to have an issue with her shoulder here and there.
In August of last year Fatima announced that she had been diagnosed with a rare cancer of the bone and soft-tissue, Ewing sarcoma. Last fall, she began chemotherapy and kept such a positive attitude. In January of this year, she underwent surgery to remove a tumor from her shoulder. Her favorite chef and mentor, Padma was there with here. Ali was declared cancer-free in February. In April she was back to cooking and posting her usual positive words,
Had the most incredible time at pebble beach food and wine. I cried after service in my room because I was so overwhelmed with joy at being able to cook again. I was so scared I wouldn’t be able to keep up, especially with my left arm handicap but with the help of my bff @shilpausk we kicked ass and I couldn’t be more grateful. I am so lucky to be able to still do what I love despite my illness and I can’t WAIT till my treatment is over so I can open up my own restaurant in beautiful California and show the world all the beautiful food of Pakistan ?#fuckcancer
In August she completed her chemo, but there seemed to be some serious complications that were not really explained.
Sorry I’ve been MIA for the past few weeks. My last round of chemotherapy is DONE. After being hospitalized for acute pain in my lower back that they now think could be chemo related bone necrosis, my docs recommended that I not take my last scheduled dose and I’m more than happy to oblige. I’m back home, my hair is growing and I need a few more weeks rest before I can get back into gear. As for the bit about my bone dying, I had no idea that could even happen. But hey at least the cancers not back ?? #fuckcancer#byechemo
Then last month, the 29-year-old chef was told that her cancer had returned, this time to her femur and left hip, and that she had only a year left to live.
Fati spent the last two weeks of September in the hospital. The cast of season 15 was all together at an event and sent her a video full of love and support.
Today, her story appeared in Bon Appetit. Go read the whole thing
The cancer cells my doctors believed had vanished are back with a vengeance in my left hip and femur bone. My oncologist has told me that I have a year to live, with or without the new chemotherapy regimen. I was looking forward to being 30, flirty, and thriving. Guess I have to step it up on the flirting. I have no time to lose.
I’ve opened all the windows in my house. I feel like I need a lot more air than I did before I read this. I’m going to stop watching politics, or at least try to do it less. We all need to find reasons to live and be happy regardless of how dire we may feel our circumstances are. At least we are alive and we need to make sure we are living.
This just made me cry. I lost my best friend to cancer on September 28th so this was tough to read. I hope she keeps a positive attitude for as long as possible and I truly hope she’s not in too much pain.
Sending you love. Losing someone to cancer is bloody hell.
Thank you. She suffered for 6 years starting with Stage 4 breast cancer and ending with liver, lung and bone cancer. She was like a sister to me and it’s hard for me to believe that she’s gone. At least she lived a very full life. Poor Fatima’s life was just getting started. #hatecancer
Oh, no. I feel like I’m about to cry, too. I really enjoyed seeing Fatima on Top Chef last season, and I’m heartbroken by this news.
This breaks my heart. Fatima is an amazing woman. I’ve been looking forward to eating her food. #cancersucks
Speechless. This is beyond unfucking fair, she’s not even 30????????? What a bright star of a human being and immense talent, she was an absolute joy to watch and was loved by all her castmates. So charming, so genuine, so funny. Maybe my favorite cheftestant ever.
I can’t deal with how unfair this is her life is being cut so short. Such a beautiful human being. Poor Fatima
Well said.
Saying ‘this breaks my heart’ isn’t saying enough. She was my favorite from last season. May she, her family and friends find nothing but peace and love over the next several months.
This just devastated me earlier when I read about it. I hope the culinary world steps up and helps make her final dreams of eating at all the best places come true.
My heart is broken after reading this.
This just sucks!. Nothing wise to say, really. I hate cancer..
Ahh, just devastating. Such a beautiful soul.
I’m so sad for her and her family. A bright and talented woman. #fuckcancer #cancersucksballs
That was beautifully expressed, Tamara. I love Top Chef and I love her. What the hell? Goddamn it. That Padma was there says a lot about their bond.
This is completely awful. What an amazing talented, kind human. We need more like her in the world.
F’ing cancer. I’ve lost count of those I have lost to this devilish disease. Grandparents, a parent, aunts, uncles, cousins, coworkers. Unfortunately, several versions of cancer run in both side of my families. Even with screening every year, or every 6 months, it doesn’t guarantee someone won’t be diagnosed with stage 4. I pray everyone understands how important early screening is – if your loved ones won’t do it for themselves, hound them, pester them and slap up side the head to do it. Life is precious, don’t give up on anyone!
Tears here. Prayers to Fatima! Loved her on Top Chef. She has such awesome energy about her. #CANCERSUCKS
Fatima’s article in Bon Appetit she really shared herself. What a good writer she is.
Hope she gets to eat herself through N.Y., with her good friends and a lot of laughter.
Amazing young woman, she will leave her mark.
It’s one thing to fill a plate with food but it takes someone special to feed the soul.
I can’t even think what to say. I’ll go read the Bon Apetit through my tears.
My husband has had cancer since 1999. Let me tell you- get outside, ditch the phone and laugh and enjoy life. Like TT said: open the windows. He’s been lucky, dodging bullets right and left mixed with some horrible surgeries. You can’t be obsessed with politics, bad news, sad news, etc. I have a good hearty laugh every day. Prayers for Fatima. She comes across like one of the special ones. Thx TT for reporting this.
heartbreaking…
This is so sad. Cancer is the biggest threat to humanity. I think your message is great, TT. It’s so easy to get caught up in all of the craziness in the world, BOTH sides get so passionate and mean. But I’ve seen people get cancer and die within months, not to be a downer, BUT support causes you love but also live your life. Don’t spend all day online fighting, don’t let politics control your life. I could stand in the middle of the supermarket yelling about how meat is torture and some of the people would care, some of the people wouldn’t, and then some just go about their day. Fighting and attacking others isn’t going to change anyone’s views, so do your part for what you truly believe in, and go about your day as it could be your last.
@JustJenn – well said and truly words to live by…
This is heartbreaking….after all these decades and all the research it just doesn’t seem to be getting better…lose for words.
Research can often tell how a person got a certain cancer now. That’s new. The lady that used baby powder every day for 30 years or the man that popped a certain popcorn every night for years.
What a punch in the gut. I had heard that she had cancer and then, since we hadn’t heard much, was hoping that no news was good news. She’s such a beautiful woman, inside and out, and was by far my favorite on the show. Wishing her strength as she faces the upcoming months. Fatima, a whole lot of people will be praying for you and sending positive thoughts your way. Big hug…
Sorry, Tamara – I subconsciously stole your punch in the gut comment. Very apt words though.
Fatima is also my favorite contestant on Top Chef. She is unassuming and not self-absorbed, unlike so many others. I read both of the pieces that she wrote for Bon Appetit…truly an exceptional writer in addition to her many other skills.
My heart just breaks for her…such a bright future is being extinguished….it’s just not right.
Nancy
Horrible news. She’s such a bright light that touches a lot of people. I’ll admit I was struggling to read the article through tears but by the end somehow comforted by her words and yours Tamara. I’ll be pulling for you Fatima! Get your flirt on girl! #fuckcancer!
What a beautiful soul. Prayers for Fati. #FuckCancer
I’m glad she was in Top Chef so we all got to know her. It’s a terrible thing when someone so young is struck down.
I stopped following politics a couple of decades ago. I get the info I need when I need it and ignore it otherwise. Got my blood pressure back to normal lol!
When I fangirled at Butterfunk Kitchen last winter Chef Chris had a far away look in his eyes when I told him that he should have won, with Fatima as his runner up. His expression made sense the following week when she announced her illness and Chris & Adrienne shared that they were hosting a benefit dinner to support Fatima’s medical bills.
It’s clear Fatima is beloved by her fellow cheftestants as well as the fans. She’s such a beautiful soul and tremendous talent. Before learning of her illness, I was looking forward to waiting on long lines at her Summer food stand in Brooklyn.
I’m sending my love and well wishes to Fatima and her loved ones.
It says a lot about her character that, years later, she remains memorable. I am sorry to hear about her struggle.
I’ve never watched this show but my heart breaks for this lovely lady. I cant imagine what hearing that final diagnosis must have been like for her to process…I lost my dad last year to cancer, miss him everyday and I agree with all posting…FUCKCANCER…I am so tired of amazing wonderful people losing their lives to this shit! Cancer should be reserved for child molesters and rapists.
So very sad to learn of this. She is one of my favorites from any season of Top Chef. She’s so talented with a beautiful soul to match. Wishing her love, laughter and positive experiences every day of her life! She and her loved ones will be in my prayers, Thank you for posting this, Tamara. She is a very bright light in this world! Hugs to all!
A lovely person.
I too lost a best friend to a rare blood disorder. I was speechless for weeks. I just couldn’t talk. So I feel you Tamara. I feel you. It’s profoundly humble to watch a life cease to be. But I believe life continues for us after physical death, so it can been seen as a continuation, a new beginning. They will be missed.
So sad to hear. I was a diner for Topchef Denver. We dined at her restaurant during the restaurant wars episode. She was awesome.
This one hurts.
Thank you for posting.
I’d like to post a particular FUCK YOU to EWINGS SARCOMA. It took my best friends 23 year old daughter a few years back. Nasty, ruthless and brutal and such a weird form of this bastard ass disease.